At 18 years old, Strome wasn’t necessarily expected to debut in the NHL this season, but the center hung around for the duration of training camp because his performance warranted a lengthy evaluation. He was strong in early preseason action, tallying a power-play goal against the Kings, but his effectiveness tapered off in the final three games, Tippett said. When the Coyotes faced an NHL-ready lineup from the Sharks last Friday, it became clear Strome needed more time to develop.

“Right now his mind and his anticipation and thinking the game is strong enough, but his body needs to get stronger,” Tippett said.

Strome will rejoin his junior club, the Erie Otters, in the Ontario Hockey League. Last season, he paced the entire league in points (129) and could easily dominate again while potentially dressing for Team Canada at the World Junior Championship.

“If I’m here, I’m going to do my best,” Strome said Friday. “And if I’m not, I’m going to do my best in junior hockey.”

The Coyotes also assigned goalie Louis Domingue and winger Matthias Plachta to their American Hockey League affiliate. Both had solid camp performances with Tippett expecting Plachta – a 24-year-old who previously played in Germany – to grow his confidence in the offensive zone through game action.

“There is a lot of players down there that will get an opportunity,” Tippett said.

For now, though, the Coyotes are hoping 20-year-olds Domi and Duclair can provide a boost.

This stint will be Domi’s first in the NHL after he was previously sent back to juniors twice since being drafted 12th overall in 2013.

“The speed and the tenacity of his game are things we really love,” Tippett said. “I think there’s ways for him to continue to generate more offense, but he’ a good young player and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do.”

Despite finishing 2014-15 in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Duclair already has professional experience; he appeared in 18 games with the Rangers last season after winning a job out of training camp. But Duclair is eager to prove he belongs with the Coyotes.

“We’re coming into a situation where we need to deliver,” he said. “We are fast-tracking to the NHL. For young guys like me and Max coming from juniors, we’re stepping in to big roles and I think we’re ready for that and ready for the challenge.”

Martinook will slide into a depth role, but his impact shouldn’t be overlooked. Tippett said the argument could be made that the 23-year-old speedy worker was the team’s best forward in training camp.

“This is just Step 1 for me,” said Martinook, who played eight games with the Coyotes last season and has appeared in the AHL the past three years. “Obviously, I want to stay long term and I’m going to treat every game like it’s still training camp and I’m still being evaluated.”

All three players are taking that approach after watching a handful of other up-and-comers – like Plachta, Henrik Samuelsson and Lucas Lessio – be assigned to the AHL. The Coyotes could easily set up a rotation on an as-needed basis, keeping players who are able to execute and sending others to Springfield to build up their confidence before asking them to return.

But since these three are the first to have an opportunity, they’re motivated to succeed.

“The lineup isn’t set in stone, so we have to work for it,” Domi said. “We have to earn everything we get. We’re expected to do that, and we’re excited for the opportunity. It’s going to be a challenge, for sure. But, hey, that’s what we’re looking forward to.”

Captain Shane Doan, center Antoine Vermette and defenseman Zbynek Michalek missed Sunday’s practice. Doan and Michalek are nursing minor injuries but will be at Tuesday’s practice, Tippett said, while Vermette was in Chicago to receive his Stanley Cup ring from the Blackhawks.

Coyotes' Antoine Vermette makes a pass from the ice after Sharks' Joonas Donskoi (27) knocked Vermette over during the final preseason game at Gila River Arena in Glendale, AZ on October 2, 2015. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports

Coyotes' Antoine Vermette makes a pass from the ice after Sharks' Joonas Donskoi knocked Vermette over during the final preseason game at Gila River Arena in Glendale, AZ on October 2, 2015. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports

Coyotes' Max Domi slips and shoot against the defense of Sharks' Brenden Dillon and goalie Martin Jones during the final preseason game at Gila River Arena in Glendale, AZ on October 2, 2015. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports

Sharks' Patrick Marleau stops short and Coyotes' Oliver Ekman-Larsson paints the boards with ice from his skates the during the final preseason game at Gila River Arena in Glendale, AZ on October 2, 2015. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports